Crockpot Taco Meat
Jun 16, 2020, Updated May 06, 2024
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Crockpot taco meat is just what you need for a easy taco Tuesday at home. Full of flavor, and only three ingredients.
On Sundays I like to spend a little time prepping food for the week. One of my favorite things to prep is the crockpot taco meat. It’s so easy to put together, and while it cooks, I can work on other things in the kitchen.
What I love most about this is how versatile it is. We use it all week long for thing like tacos, nachos, burrito bowls, and more. It’s such a great time saver!
The best thing is that its only 3 ingredients. Throw every thing in the slow cooker, set it and forget it.
If you like using your slow cooker be sure to try this crockpot chicken tacos, frozen meatballs in crockpot, and crockpot Hawaiian chicken.
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this recipe
You might wonder why you should make taco meat in the crockpot when it doesn’t take much time to cook on the stove. Here are a few reasons:
- Flavor: The ground beef takes on incredible flavor since its slow cooking in the seasonings.
- Tender: Slow cooking makes the beef tender.
- Quantity: If you are cooking for a large group or party, this is a wonderful way to cook the meat all at once. You can also keep in warm for a taco bar.
Ingredients
Only 3 ingredients to make this slow cooker taco meat.
- Ground beef – I like using a lean ground beef to avoid having excess grease. You can also substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Taco seasoning – Use your favorite taco seasoning blend.
- Salsa – Salsa adds flavor and moisture to the meat. I like using a chunky style salsa but any will work.
How to make crockpot taco meat
Scroll to the bottom for the full, printable recipe.
- Place the beef, seasonings, and salsa in the slow cooker.
- Set the crockpot and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
- Break up the meat with a spoon and serve. I like to break up the meat about 30 minutes before serving.
Heather’s recipe tips
- Break up the meat. I like to break up the ground beef 1 hour – 30 minutes before it’s finished cooking.
- Keep it warm. If you need to keep the meat warm for a party or gathering, set the crockpot to the “warm” setting.
Variations
Meat – Substitute the ground beef with ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground bison.
Vegetables – Add in some veggies like diced onion, diced bell pepper, or jalapenos.
Beans – Try stirring in some canned black beans or pinto beans the last hour of cooking.
Taco Toppings
I love making a taco bar for dinner. Everyone can choose their own toppings. A few favorite taco toppings include: avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese, diced onions, salsa, rice, beans, lettuce, or pico de gallo.
Storage instructions
Store: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Cook the beef and then let it completely cool. Place in a freezer safe container or bag. Make sure to squeeze all of the excess air out of the bag. This can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat: Make sure to thaw the meat in the refrigerator. Reheat in the slow cooker or in the skillet on the stove over medium heat.
What to serve with tacos
Wondering what to serve with tacos? There are many wonderful things like refried beans, salad, or rice.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use frozen ground beef. You will probably need to cook it longer, like 5-6 hours.
The answer is yes and no. For this recipe, I did not brown the beef first and it’s delicious. I have also made it with browning the beef first. It adds a little extra flavor to the meat.
Yes, you can cook raw ground beef in the slow cooker.
More easy crockpot recipes
- Sweet and sour kielbasa – Flavorful kielbasa with peppers and sauce.
- Mississippi chicken– A super simple chicken dinner idea.
- Slow cooker country style ribs – One of my favorite slow cooker recipes.
- Slow cooker chicken wings – A simple way to cooke wings.
- Slow cooker cream cheese corn – A delicious side dish.
Looking for a shredded beef option? Try this amazing recipe for Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos.
Slow Cooker Taco Meat
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 16 oz jar salsa
- 1 package taco seasoning
Instructions
- Place ground beef, spices and salsa in slow cooker. Place lid on and turn to high heat or 3-4 hours.
- Approximately 30 minutes before serving, break up the meat with a spoon.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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